Human Rights, Peace & Justice

The Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy has continued for decades. Despite the reign of terror there have always been those who have not surrendered to the religious dictatorial regime. This Resistance consolidated in Camp Ashraf, Iraq, 40 km from the Iranian border.

Intellectuals, writers, artists, labour movement activists who survived crackdown in Iran went to this camp to continue with their fight for freedom and democracy. Many of them were joined by their relatives.

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 the Camp and its residents entitled to 4th Geneva convention were placed under US protection. The protection ended in early 2009 following US troops withdrawal from Iraq despite legal written agreements between the US authorities and the Iraqi government.

Since then, the Iraqi security forces at the behest of the Iranian regime have stormed the camp several times harassing and killing dozens leaving hundreds injured.

With a vast global campaign in defense of these residents, the government of Iraq has been called a few times to conduct a prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the incidents that violated international norms and conventions, including the UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. However, to this date nothing has happened.

In 2011 the Iraqi government announced the closure of Camp Ashraf and involuntarily relocated its residents to a new location called Camp Liberty, near Baghdad Airport. After the majority of residents had been relocated 100 of them were allowed to remain in Camp Ashraf in order to look after and sell the residents’ remaining assets and properties valued over $500 million dollars.

Most tragic incident, in early hours of Sunday, September 1st, 2013, Iraqi Special Forces under the direct command of Nouri Al-Maliki attacked the unarmed and defenseless refugees in Camp Ashraf killing 52 residents, including 7 women. Most of them were handcuffed and shot in their heads. Another 7 residents, including 6 women, were abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown.

Intelligence from within the Iranian regime, Video clips and eyewitness accounts leave no doubt that the 7 abductees are in the hands of the Iraqi government.

Campaign to release Ashraf hostages and Protection for the remaining Residents

Donate:

Please Donate to our campaign to release the 7 hostages and promoting the security and protection of the remaining residents.

Act:

Please write to UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, and UN High Commissioner for Human Right, Ms Navi Pillay and ask for their intervention to save the 7 hostages.